Lebanon PM: Time is of essence to stop Hamas-Israel war ‘going out of control’ and spreading

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister says time is of the essence in stopping the Hamas-Israel war from “going out of control” and affecting Lebanon and the wider region.

Najib Mikati has apparently been scrambling with international governments to keep Lebanon away from the war, as terrorists from the Hezbollah group have been firing rockets and missiles toward Israel since the onset of the war on Oct. 7.

The clashes so far have mostly been limited to areas along the border.

His comments come days before Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is scheduled to give his first speech since the start of the war.

Lebanon is experiencing political paralysis and economic turmoil, leaving many worried over the consequences of a fully fledged war in the crisis-hit country.

Mikati, who is backed by Hezbollah, condemns both Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon and attacks in the Gaza Strip.

“A humanitarian cease-fire for five days is necessary, where there can be active international talks to secure prisoner swaps and reach a permanent truce in order to reach an agreement on the conditions for regional peace,” Mikati says before a government meeting.

“Enough war in Lebanon, for we are with the choice of peace,” Mikati says.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a monthlong war in 2006, which saw thousands of Hezbollah rockets pummel northern towns and claimed the lives of 165 Israelis, including 44 civilians. Over 1,100 Lebanese, both Hezbollah fighters and civilians, were killed.

Israel estimates that Iran-backed Hezbollah has some 150,000 missiles pointed at it.